Wandering Daze: Wandering Around NYC: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

It was by accident that I came by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

After returning from Staten Island, I was feeling a bit feverish from heatstroke (yeah, can you believe it? Heatstroke in winter season (=_=)"') but I thought I could try walking to Soho to check out the scene.

Then, my attention was caught by a moving figure at the top of a building.....

Man carefully sweeping the ledge of the building

Don't worry, he was wearing a construction helmet and attached to a safety harness.

And then, my eyes were attracted by the designs on the surface of the building......

The busts above the windows actually had different ethnic features!

I was so impressed by the amount of thought that went into the architectural design of the back of the building that I became curious about what the front would have.

Main entrance of the museum

And it didn't disappoint.

I was stunned by the magnificent Roman-Grecian sculptures that dominated the museum entrance and the monumental Roman columns looming above.

What stunned me even more was that there was free entry into the museum! LOL~ what a lovely surprise (^ ^)Y

Rotunda of the museum

Another breathtaking place of beauty

Actually, I was puzzled by one question while touring the area:

If it is meant to be a museum for the American Indians, why are the exhibits housed in such a building that is so strongly Corinthian in design? (0_o)?

Just a question that popped up in my mind, nothing intended.

Inside the Infinity of Nations exhibition hall

There were four main exhibition halls in the museum.

My first instinctive move was to enter the Infinity of Nations hall which showcased the arts and history of the American Indians.

I highly recommend this museum because other than the fact that it has free entry, there are many amazing works of art there which would change your mind about the culture and lifestyle of the American Indians.

Ok, you might not learn much about the complex history of the numerous tribes of American Indians but you will definitely have a great time looking at all the artifacts and photos.

I spent around two hours slowly touring the museum and ooh-ing at all the marvelous exhibits.

Hand-carved and decorated gourd, 1925

This is an ancient Andean art form which is rarely in practice now.

Pueblo pottery, 1965

Very impressive intricate geometric design which is extremely hard to create on a curved surface.

Mi'kmaq box

Birchbark, porcupine quill, spruce root, dye, ca.1860

Yup'ik hunting hat

Wood, ivory, baleen, iron alloy, cordage, ca.1870

Inupiaq box

Wood and ivory, 1880-1900

It's different from the delicate exquisiteness of Japanese lacquer boxes or the complex intricacy of Chinese wooden boxes.

But it definitely has its own character and charming beauty.

I spent time trying to figure out how they managed to curve the thick wood into such a smooth shape for the sides of the box. I like the unusual oblong shape of this particular wooden box.

Moccasins

Deer hide, glass beads, cotton thread, 1880

Beautiful beadwork on this pair of moccasins.

The stunning beauty of some of the footwear display reminded me of the elaborate beadwork of the Peranakans.

Tepanec Quetzalcoatl (feathered serpent), god of life and creation

Basalt, A.D. 1325-1521

It was sad to look at this.

When I first saw it, I couldn't understand what it was used for and mistook it to be some kind of huge stone mortar.

Apparently, it used to be an elaborate sculpture of the creation god of American Indian myths but its head was cut off and its body was drilled to create a base for a Christian cross during the Spanish colonial rule... It's sad to see such destructive ways of religious intolerance, sigh.......

Tepanec Ehecatl, the wind god

Basalt statue, A.D. 1325-1521

"Ehecatl, the wind god 'swept the path for the gods of water,' bringing forth life and fertility. The changing movement of the wind is reflected in the deity's twisted body."

Doesn't the tilting head remind you of the cute kodama (木魂, wood spirit) in the Studio Ghibli anime, Princess Mononoke? (^ ^)

Maybe Studio Ghibli got its inspiration from this?

Manteno seat

Stone, A.D. 500-1500

A grand piece that was carved from a single block of stone. (0_0)!

Maya bas relief depicting a ball player

Limestone, A.D. 600-750

Muisca tunjo

Gold alloy, A.D. 1000-1500

Votive piece used as offerings in temples, caves and other sacred places.

Kwakwaka'wakw mechanical mask

Wood, paint, fur, cordage, ca.1900

This large fish mask was worn on the back of a ceremonial dancer. It probably represents Namxilagiyu, a halibut-like sea monster.

Buffalo Bladder

Buffalo bladders are waterproof and used as containers or pouches to hold sharp objects like porcupine quills.

This is what I call making full use of every natural resource (^ ^)

Inka khipu

Cotton and dye, A.D.1425-1532

I read about this a long time ago but I didn't expect to finally see one. It was quite something to see something from a book appear in front of my eyes. (^ ^)

The Inka used this simple device for record-keeping such as tax records and inventories. Amazing, right?